How I built a rustic reclaimed wood garden fence – part 4
There is nothing quite like an unplanned project.
Because no planning appears to work best in these parts!
So thanks to my lack of due diligence, I’m taking you waaaay back to the garden shed and fence project that was started last summer.
As a refresher…
Part 1
.
Here’s Part 1 where we first cleaned up.
Welcome back to the boneyard. The very special part of ones yard that no one dares to share. EVER.
And then there’s me…
Part 2
.
Here’s Part 2, where I decided to remove the back yard flower beds.
This post was hard on quite a few of you… and me, because we remember what my back yard USE to look like when I went all out.
However, I let it go because I couldn’t keep up, so it was time to start fresh again.
Part 3
.
And here’s Part 3, once the grass started to fill in.
If you scroll up to the part 1 picture, you’ll note the original fence was leaning heavily. Well, all that great wood was saved over winter, then spur of the moment, I decided to pressure wash it over the weekend.
With the clean wood scattered all over the lawn, I had a choice. I could either stack it to dry and move on to pressure wash the front of the house…
Or just put that wood up on that fence, wet and all and gitter done!
So rather than overthink it, I just did it.
I built the fence.
How I built a rustic reclaimed wood garden fence
What I used
(this post contains some affiliate links)
Cordless drill and drywall screws
Pressure washer
Measuring tape
How-to:
.
- Each board was first pressure washed both sides.
- Random planks were centered over two frame boards, then using a construction level along the top, screwed on.
- Every other section was covered first.
- The missing sections were built with random boards placed into position, capable of reaching the other boards to their left and right, then screwed into place.
After chatting to Hank about all the possible ways to install it, I hit the easy button and decided to make the fence wear a super rustic take.
Truth be told, my miter saw is STILL broken. (well, no kidding, I mean they only break once) What I meant to say was, I haven’t yet replaced it. Just hanging tough for a good deal.
And since I didn’t feel like getting all fancy with the jigsaw over every single board, I came up with a super easy plan.
I planned to install every other section as you see above…
Then cover the middle section, with boards overlapping on both ends.
With each board, I set the construction level along the top, then screwed the planks into place along the main frame.
And since my hair brained scheme appeared to be working…
… I kept going until it was a done deal!
“So, what did you do today?”
“Oh, nothing. Drank coffee. Built a fence. You know… the usual.”
Well, this was a HUGE deal around here thankyouverymuch!
I’m pretty stoked this actually (finally) transpired.
Next up with the fence, Hank plans to cap the fence on both our sides with a little roof like top finish. Hard to explain… I’ll show you when it’s complete.
Next up for me? Well, I have that little shed to play with and do something fun along that fence!
Before
.
I love this picture.
Nearly there!
.
Because it makes this one look SO much better, even though this area is far from complete!
And then I just had to play a tiny little bit… hmmm…. what to do, what to do…
What would you do along this fence?
Below is a super short just over 1 minute video from my Insta Stories that perhaps better explains my fence theory…
.
Some days, I get super annoyed when I don’t plan things.
However in this case, I’m glad I didn’t!
Love, love, love your “new” fence!!! I’m all about reuse and upcycle!
That fence is so cool I wouldn’t do anything else to it or by it…..let it speak for itself!
Ann
Thanks Ann! It is so fun to look at as is! I think once something is added to that shed, it may be enough. Best get working on that shed and find out…
I like the finished fence and yard as is. I too am wanting things a little more easier to keep up, but yet want my yard to look nice. And I love the smooth, finished look, not to mention the reclaimed wood. Ah, reclaimed wood one of my favorites. Enjoyed your description of the process. Your way of building is right up my alley. Impulsive and making it work. Thanks for showing us!
Ohhh VERY impulsive! I think that’s the part that infuses enthusiasm. Otherwise I overthink it and it’s already done before I even start. haha
I will admit, the loss of the flowerbeds in the backyard aren’t quite doing it for me. Less work, neat and tidy, big time! However I’m already wondering what I can add here and there for interest. Maybe a mess was the best way to inspire me off my chair after all… more on this soon, count on that!
OH how I remember the first photo. I am thinking ….. she has got her work cut out for her. Well you did it and it looks great. As for what to do with it….use it as an art gallery or object gallery. It is changeable also. Just a thought.
It is the PERFECT backdrop for all kinds of yard junk garden art! Great idea!
Oh Donna the fence is just awesome. I love the overlap and variations!
Thanks Carlene! I could only imagine how you’d enhance this one! Gonna put my OC garden junk thinking cap on… 😀
ooooooh! i love that fence. i would put some funky yard art on the fence to dress it up. great job, i love your projects and i think this is one of my favorites. i want that in my yard.
Thanks Mary! Yeah, I think it needs a little something… already rounding up some garden junk to see what becomes…
Donna,
Love your fence!
Thanks! If nothing else, it sure is a nice photo backdrop! 😀
I would paint sort of like a mural on it of flowers.Then you don’t have to keep up with those. Plus it will add color & the color of the boards are a great backdrop to look like woods in behind it. Lol. Love old lumber – love to paint & love all your projects. Love Ruthie
I love the easy-care way you think Ruthie! My mind is working overtime now thanks to your suggestion!
That looks AWESOME! Who would have thought? Congrats!
WOW!!! I absolutely love it! I’m going to pin this for later!
Bless all the people on the big island of Hawaii!! Will this affect your vacations?
Love the new fence, it is so you!
Hey Maggie! I don’t visit the big island when I go, so it wouldn’t affect me. So sad to see all that happen!
Thanks for the fence kudos!
Love love love the fence with the overlapping planks!!!! Trusted your gut intuition girl!!
WOW that came out awesome! Now the fence needs some rusty decorating! LOL! What a great project, low cost (or no cost), fairly easy, using recycled materials and it looks GREAT – that’s a winner to me 🙂
Love it!!
Dear Creative Inspiring Donna
Your fence is just super! Having loved your shed from the moment I first saw it, of course I would love this fence, which has the same “flavor.”
You outdid yourself, AGAIN!
Super.
Brenda
Just became aware this week that there was even such a thing as “thatching” a yard. We have a creeping charlie nightmare in ours and I’m excited to think that there might be hope for our yard yet, lol.
Your new fence is so creative, unique and rustic. It looks absolutely amazing!! Have a Happy Mother’s Day, Donna.
Now that’s a FENCE and it totally makes sense. So keen to see what you’re going to do along the fence. It’s a beautiful blank canvas with built in attitude. I would love to add a whole bunch of crazy signs to create a story that leads you up the garden path, erhm I mean the garden shed
OMG!!! Your fence, like everything else you do, is AMAZING!! Love it!! It’s simply wonderful just like it is!
Being a junker and a gardener, I would add a couple of funky birdhouses.
I love the fence. However, I would also put some wood preserver on it, so it will last a while without rotting too soon. Some spray preserver would be a quick job.
We have been building fence or should I say rebuilding. We had some one else’s trailer for years in our backyard (extremely long story) anyway it finally got taken down the road. The problem was now hoard of lumber(junk) was now exposed to all sundry! Ahhhhh! Since my hubby hates my “dirty secret” hoard he was on board to hide it right away because in no way was I getting rid of it. We lost a third of the back yard to increase the parking. The old fencing is still covered in flooded water yuck. Sorry I buried the lead. In 2011 the property had 13′ of water on it. Most of the yuckiness was removed! Literally gutted! But not the fencing! Now I’ll be pressure washing the remaining “newly reinstalled” fence that had been stack up for all this time waiting for the removal of the trailer. ……what this long rambling comment is leading up to is the color choice because my fencing wasn’t as cute as yours……and didn’t want boring old mud covered fencing. ….. I’m going with black…black stain…. I’ve already painted some of it …..I love it! My flowers look fantastic!
That is a great fence! how fun and inspiring. I wish i had a yard for a fence. Someday!!